King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 2:16 Mean?

2 Kings 2:16 in the King James Version says “And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men ; let them go, we pray thee, and seek th... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men ; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send. strong: Heb. sons of strength some mountain: Heb. one of the mountains

2 Kings 2:16 · KJV


Context

14

And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.

15

And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.

16

And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men ; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send. strong: Heb. sons of strength some mountain: Heb. one of the mountains

17

And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.

18

And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 2: Prophetic succession and confirmation of divine calling. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry, particularly Baal worship introduced under Ahab and Jezebel.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 2 takes place during the mid-9th century BCE, around 850 BCE, during the transition from Elijah to Elisha. The chapter's theme (Elijah's Translation and Elisha's Beginning) reflects the historical reality of prophetic succession and divine affirmation of Elisha's ministry following Elijah's remarkable translation. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 2 regarding prophetic succession and confirmation of divine calling?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר1 of 29

And he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֡יו2 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הִנֵּה3 of 29
H2009

lo!

נָ֣א4 of 29
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

יֵֽשׁ5 of 29

unto him Behold now there be

H3426

there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)

אֶת6 of 29
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

עֲבָדֶיךָ֩7 of 29

with thy servants

H5650

a servant

חֲמִשִּׁ֨ים8 of 29

fifty

H2572

fifty

אֲנָשִׁ֜ים9 of 29
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

בְּנֵי10 of 29

men

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

חַ֗יִל11 of 29

strong

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

יֵ֣לְכוּ12 of 29
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

נָא֮13 of 29
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

וִֽיבַקְשׁ֣וּ14 of 29

we pray thee and seek

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

אֶת15 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲדֹנֶיךָ֒16 of 29

thy master

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

פֶּן17 of 29
H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

נְשָׂאוֹ֙18 of 29

hath taken him up

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

ר֣וּחַ19 of 29

lest peradventure the Spirit

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

יְהוָ֔ה20 of 29

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וַיַּשְׁלִכֵ֙הוּ֙21 of 29

and cast

H7993

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

בְּאַחַ֣ת22 of 29

him upon some

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

הֶֽהָרִ֔ים23 of 29

mountain

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

א֖וֹ24 of 29
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

בְּאַחַ֣ת25 of 29

him upon some

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

הַגֵּיאָוֹ֑ת26 of 29

valley

H1516

a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)

וַיֹּ֖אמֶר27 of 29

And he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לֹ֥א28 of 29
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִשְׁלָֽחוּ׃29 of 29

Ye shall not send

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Kings 2:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Kings 2:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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